Breaking Down the Chargers Matchup in Buffalo

A matchup of two AFC powerhouses takes place Sunday at Ralph Wilson Stadium as the 3-3 San Diego Chargers visit the 4-1 Buffalo Bills. The Chargers are coming off a tough 30-10 pounding of the Pats on Sunday night at home, while the Bills were able to take a week off, licking their wounds after a beating in Arizona two weeks ago.

The Bills are getting healthy, as they will get back QB Trent Edwards, who was out for most of the Cards game after being hurt early with a concussion. They also should get back big time punt returner and WR Roscoe Parrish, and CB Ko Simpson. They ahve played well at home, beating the Hawks and Raiders, though they struggled with Oakland till the bitter end.

Buffalo is 4-1 after playing well in all three areas. Their offense has been better than expected, while their defense has limited big plays and special teams has been a key in getting them to their four wins already in 08. Edwards needs to continue to play well, and going up against a good Chargers defense will be a good test. Marshawn Lynch is putting up about 64 yards per game, and they will need more from him to keep the Chargers from playing the pass on most downs.

As for San Diego, they may have beaten the Pats on Sunday night, but they are still looking to put together two good games. They are 3-3 for a reason – they have yet to really play up to the level that many felt they would. When the offense plays well, the defense gives up too many points and yards. When the offense can’t seem to score, the defense does just enough not to be able to pull out a win.

Philip Rivers has been the key to this team. While LaDainian Tomlinson is highly regarded as one of, if not the best back in the league, he’s only rushing for 67.5 yards per game, and the Chargers need to get him going. We’ll see if they can do that against what has been a good Bills run D so far in 2008. This one likely is going to fall into Rivers hands, and he will have to have the hot hand again to get the job done.

The Bills play better at home, and the Chargers are 1-2 on the road, already losing to the Broncos and Dolphins. Look for them to fall under .500 as Buffalo does enough on offense and plays again well on defense to get a big win.